Thanks for turkey. Sir James Graham [1st baronet, (d 1824)] cannot expect to be made vice-president if elected to Linnean Society Council, on the Council's recommendation, he as he has only attended the Society once.
His health much better but his "perfect recovery will require much time". Pleased to hear of Smith's recovery from his "very severe" summer illness.
Linnean Society continues to get many candidates for admission but few papers; requests a paper for next meeting. [William] Smith and [Charles Sinclair] Cullen elected FLS; [Thomas Thynne, 2nd] Marquess of Bath [(1765-1837)] and Bishop of Salisbury [John Fisher (1748-1838)] now both candidates. Informed by [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert some time ago that the Prince [Regent, later George IV (1762-1830)] was to become the Society's royal patron, has not heard anything since. Asks if [William George] Maton has written to Smith on proposed Linnean Dining Club; some "not very friendly to the plan" but he likes it much.
Has been staying at Sir Richard Hoare's, along with Bishop of Salisbury [John Fisher (1748-1825)], his wife, and [John] Constable [(1776-1837) painter], who is patronised by the Bishop and is making views of the area; he is "well acquainted" with Smith having dined at his house in Norwich. Persuaded Bishop to become a FLS. Enquires whether Smith has given up his genus of 'Duchesnea'.
Obtained a 'Melaleuca caurina' from the Fonthill Sale [home of William Beckford (1760-1844)]. Has enjoyed the "Lapland Tour" ["Lachesis Lapponica"]. Lists publications recently acquired from Paris including: "Annals du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle"; [Kurt] Sprengel's "Philiosophia Botanica"and "Historia Rei Herbaria"; [Aubert Aubert Du] Petit-Thouars' "Essais Sur La Vegetation"; [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon's "Synopsis plantarum"; [Andre] Michaux's [(1746-1802)] "Histoiredes arbres forestiers de l'Amerique Septentrionale"; [Tussac's] "Flore des Antilles" containing 'Alstroemeria edulis'; three new numbers of [Alexander von] Humboldt's [from his voyage to South America] containing 'Bonplandia trifoliata' and 'Mikania guaco'.
Glad genus 'Lamium' he sent was better than he expected, looks forward to seeing it in [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia". Visited Cassiobury Park, Hertfordshire, home of Lord Essex [George Capel-Coningsby, 5th Earl of Essex (1757-1839)], guests included the Duchess of Leeds, Lady de Clifford the younger, Lady Monson, Lords of Ross and Jersey, and Lord Erskine. Nominated as auditor of Royal Society accounts alongside Sir Joseph Banks, Lord Valentia [George Annesley], and Sam Davis, India director. Praises work of Sello [presumably Lambert's assistant], intimate friend and pupil of [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow, he went through herbarium of [Alexander von] Humboldt and [Aimé] Bonpland. Given Lady Staunton's [Jane Staunton (1753-1823) wife of Sir George Leonard Staunton, 1st baronet (1737-1801)] China collection, "the greatest collection except Pallas" he ever received, will send Smith duplicates. Requests specimen of 'Lathyrus amphicarpos'. [Richard] Salisbury working on 'Erica'. Will send Smith all of [Peter] Collinson's [(1694-1768)] papers when Banks has finished with them, [Robert] Brown thinks them curious.
Encloses a copy of his book "The botanist". Has endeavoured to popularise Linnaeus and botany in America. Relates the difficulties, as first lecturer in natural history in America, of preparing natural history lectures for persons who may not have ever seen any books on the subjects, and justifies the popular tone and inclusion of female botanists. Hopes to be able to send botanical and entomological paintings executed by women. Asks for Smith's critical opinion of his book.
Apologises for not attending to Smith's invitation. Invites Smith to dinner.
Returning to Sciliy. Asks Smith to give an opinion on debate between Arrosio and [Antonio] Bivona [Bernardi]. Reminisces on his time in London, including visits to Linnean Society with Humphry Davy in attendance, and human anatomy with Bell and Wilson. Smith replied 23 [Nov 1811].
Refers to letter and books he sent in June 1810. Asks Smith to recommend his ichthyological discoveries to Dr [George] Shaw, having heard he recently wrote a "Natural History of Fishes". Resigned to not becoming a corresponding member of the Linnean Society. Sends his memoir on genus 'Bertolonia', which contains 6 species that had been confused with 'Verbena nodiflora'. Asks for directions to send papers to "Annals of Botany". [Antonio] Bivona [Bernardi] is grieved that John White, the bookseller, has refused to sell the books he sent. Currently illustrating [Franciscus Cupani's] "Panphyton Siculum", further remarks on it.
This is a duplicate copy of Rafinesque's letter, sent with his letter of 30 March 1811.
Refers to letter and books he sent in June 1810. Asks Smith to recommend his ichthyological discoveries to Dr [George] Shaw, having heard he recently wrote a "Natural History of Fishes". Resigned to not becoming a corresponding member of the Linnean Society. Sends his memoir on genus 'Bertolonia', which contains 6 species that had been confused with 'Verbena nodiflora'. Asks for directions to send papers to "Annals of Botany". [Antonio] Bivona [Bernardi] is grieved that John White, the bookseller, has refused to sell the books he sent. Currently illustrating [Franciscus Cupani's] "Panphyton Siculum", further remarks on it.
Received Smith's letter of 28 October 1810. Sends paper for Linnean Society on two new species of crustacean and lists the others he plans to send. Plans to send package of 100 rare, new, or doubtful Sicilian plants. Comments and corrections on his plants: his 'Primula bicolor' differs from 'Primula acaulis'; lists differences that ought to to be obsevred if his 'Xolantha' is only a variety of 'Cistus guttatus'; plans to send his 'Crocus longiflorus'; question on calix of 'Sedum atratum'; confirmation of his 'Malva peduncalata'. Recently received books: Smith's "Prodromus Florae Graecae" is of great use in Sicily; "Hortus Kewensis", 2nd ed., useful for advancing his knowledge of new genera; and [George] Shaw's "Ichthyology" [presumably from "General zoology"], thinks it inferior to Lacépède, on which it was modelled. Offers to describe Australian plants. Asks after plants sent by himself and [Antonio] Bivona [Bernardi] including 'Orobus siculus' and 'Astragalus siculus'; asks if 'Orabanche rubia', 'Orchis undulatifolia', and 'Orchis bipunctata' are new.
Has given [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert all the plants he collected on his travels on condition of receiving descriptions of any new species and a list of the whole, and instructions that any duplicates be sent onto Smith. Particularly anxious to know whether Smith has received all the 60 new species belonging to the Grecian collection.
Requests specimen of foliage of 'Ulmus campestris', following Benjamin [Meggot Forster's] sending him Dutch elm, believes may be Willdenow's 'Ulmus suberosa' and remarks that Smith's 'Ulmus suberosa' and 'Ulmus gabra' are often the same. Asks to delay publication of the 'Scrophularia' he sent [James] Sowerby as it was not wild, intends to send new specimen. Asks for specimen of 'Salix glauca'. Postscript that Lord Moira believes it impossible for the Prince Regent to be anything but a patron.
Received roots and specimens of Smith's Norfolk elm, which he thinks comes closer to 'glabra'; can get naturalised Dutch elm for "English botany". Believes Lord Moira [Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings (1754-1826)] will not be troublesome concerning the Prince Regent, as he has already agreed to become Linnean Society patron. Benjamin [Forster] adamant that he did not criticise "Flora Britannica"; only lamented delay of fourth volume.
The Prince Regent has agreed to become patron of the Linnean Society; an official letter will follow.
Received Smith's letter of 25 April. Expecting to leave [India] in two years and will bring with him a large collection, although it will not be as interesting as the one from Nepal. His collection of fish is more curious and increasing rapidly, has been unable to trace more than a few in Lacépède. This year is working in the Bhagalpur district of India. A squabble the previous year between the British and Nepalese governments has prevented him from obtaining seeds and flowering specimens of the officinal plants of the Indian Alps. Has managed to procure specimens of one genus, similar to 'Caltha', two species used for medicinal purposes and resemble either the 'Ranunculus arvensis' or 'Ranunculus acris', and another species which is one of the most violent poisons known in India and is used by the natives on their arrows.
Complains at being addressed as Mr in the Linnean Society's list of members and correspondence, instead of Esq.
Sends by [James Townsend] Mackay [(1775-1862), curator of Botanic Garden, Trinity College, Dublin] of Dublin 'Arenaria Cherlerifolia' from Ben Lawers, 'Triticum alpinum', a common 'Myostis' from the Clova Mountains, and a 'Centaurea' found by Mr Young at Bellmount Castle. Discovered 'Chorophyllum aromaticum' in a wild state about seven miles from Forfar and 'Iris xipheum' in Marsh of Logie.
Delayed sending 'Lichen scaber' till Smith was in London; asks for any news of publication of his paper on subject.
[Spec 11 written in pencil at top of verso of first folio]
Thanks for letter acknowledging receipt of 'Lichen scaber'; sends further specimen of it with a different kind of fructification [extant]
Specimen labelled "'Lichen scaber' with roughish warts H[ugh] D[avies]".